Studying Alone Or In A Group: Different Learning Styles

Do you like studying? In my opinion, most people don't like studying. Everyone studies for the purpose of getting good grades, entering a good university, or finding a good company. I actually don't like studying, but I study for the test. And I often study alone. Because there are many merits to study alone.

The biggest advantage of studying alone is that I can concentrate. No one talks to me, so I can make my own world. I can shut out everything except study. Also, I can study at my own pace, which is one of the advantages. When it comes to studying, it's important to understand myself. If I don't understand something, I can spend a lot of time reading the textbook over and over again. On the other hand, if I have already understood the contents, I can study a little. So it's efficient to study alone because I can learn at my own pace and fully deepen my understanding. It's a great way to learn, because I can spend as much time as I can to learn. But being able to study at my own pace is also a disadvantage. Because there is no strict deadline for studying, I may end up studying too slowly, delaying the start, or delaying the target date for finishing the assignment. For example, if I’m planning to finish chapter one of my reference books in three days, no one will be able to make sure that I’m on time. So, if I compromise on my own, that study plan doesn't mean much. Also, there is a demerit that I tend to study only in the field I like. This is because I decide on my own which field to study and which materials to use. In such a study, I may be satisfied, but I may end up with shallow knowledge that I have seen only a small part of the whole.

On the other hand, there is an advantage of studying in a group. First, it's an opportunity to absorb other people's knowledge. Even if the content is the same, if there are people who have taken different classes or read different books, I can hear opinions from different viewpoints. Also, if I have someone who is familiar with a field I don't know, it will be a good stimulus for me to acquire new knowledge, and if I want to learn more about it, they will tell me what kind of book to read. Motivation is another benefit. If I have a plan to 'Let's get together on this day and study about this subject.' I have to prepare to some extent by then. When I study in a group, I have to show each other how much I’ve studied, so I can't relax. It's even better if I have a chance to ask questions like a quiz. And in group learning, I not only learn from someone, but I also have the opportunity to teach someone. Teaching someone gives me an opportunity to output my knowledge, which leads to a deeper understanding of myself. If I can have a discussion when teaching each other, I can develop my thinking ability. However, the disadvantage of studying in a group is that I can't study focusing on myself. Sometimes I spend a lot of time on things I’ve learned, or I just move on without knowing what I’m doing. This is not very efficient. Also, if I study with friends, in the worst case scenario, I might concentrate on chatting and not study well. This disadvantage is the biggest reason I like to study alone. When I have friends, I feel like chatting, distracting and playing. Learning together has these risks.

In conclusion, studying alone and studying together is a disadvantage of one. So, I need to use different study methods depending on the situation. If the content is completely new or I want to deepen my understanding, I should study alone. The best way to combine them is to get together and have a discussion if I have a problem or want to learn more.